Mar 31

Bilikiki’s latest trip was a 10 day adventure to some of the best spots in the Solomons. I was lucky enough to be joined by a great group of guests and we all enjoyed some fantastic conditions and amazing diving.

The trip started with a bit of wild weather but the sun came out for Leru Cut and dives on the rarely visited south side of Mary Island included some sharks, schooling jacks and a curious crocodile! The visibility was really good throughout the trip and Marovo Lagoon was no exception, Mbulo Caves is always a favourite and the amazing atmosphere of the swim throughs and caverns made for an unforgettable experience and some great photos. Other dives produced massive schools of fish, bumphead parrotfish, sharks, pygmy seahorses and some magic scenery.

Back in the Russells, we visited Karumolun village to see some traditional singing and dancing and be shown around the village by Chief Raymond. There were sharks, jacks, barracudas and bumphead parrotfish on the point and bats, pygmy seahorses, squat lobsters and eagle rays at Batcave. White Beach was fascinating for both its historical wreckage and the critters found there, including mantis shrimp, mandarin fish, spawning sea cucumbers, nudis and pipefish. The east Russells produced some beautiful fish and coral dives, it was great to see the reefs doing so well.

We finished the trip in the Florida Islands where we hit a bit more current and a couple of friendly mantas at Devil’s Highway. Twin Tunnels was another favourite and we had some critters too with sightings of demon stingers, cuttlefish, pipefish and shrimp fish to name a few.

It was great to meet such a fun crowd onboard and congratulations to Sarah-Jo and Lauren for passing their nitrox and advanced courses while expanding their knowledge on the effect of pressure on snake beans. A massive thanks to the whole Bilikiki team including Tina and Oli for hosting such an excellent trip.

Thanks too to underwater photographers Brett Lobwein and Matt Smith for the photos (Matty has a TRIP IN 2018 so check out his page for details and more amazing shots from this trip).